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Yesterday, Chairwoman of Harju County Court Helve Särgava was proclaimed Estonia’s Mother of the Year 2014 in Estonia Concert Hall, Tallinn. Ms Särgava is mother of two sons and a daughter, and a granny to six. The laureate was decorated with a silver brooch to go with the title, plus the gift of a handcrafted blanket.
«Well I do consider myself quite a talker, but the news of being elected mother of the year left me speechless... I think every mother, every grandmother or aunt might be that, having raised at least one child. For the Estonian state, every child is so important,» said Ms Särgava, adding that being a mother is a great joy to any woman. Which will not mean there won’t be the touches of sadness.
«But that’s nothing really when compared to having raised three nice and hardworking kids,» said the lady who deems it important for children to be diligent, decent, a blessing to the Estonian state.
According to Ms Särgava, professional careers come to an end but children and grandchildren will always remember their mother: «For them, you’ll live forever.»
The festive concert featured a speech by president of Estonia Toomas Hendrik Ilves, pan-Estonian boys’ choir Kalev of Estonian Male Choir Association, Male Choir of Tallinn University, Police and Border Guard Orchestra, soloists and folk dancers.
In his speech, President Ilves said that Mothers’ Day might become somewhat different – more than just one of the two days in a year when men are nice to ladies.
«On behalf of all sons, daughters, and med and grandchildren, I wish you a beautiful Mothers’ Day saying a hearty thank you. For being who you are. For always supporting us and loving us unconditionally, supporting us and comforting us even when something goes wrong... when we’d rather deserve to be reproved,» said the President.
According to Siiri Oviir who, as head of Estonian Women’s Union, proclaimed Mother of the Year, the title now awarder for its 17th time always finds the ones «virtuous», «caring», «wise», «able» and «tireless». She stressed a mother is the soul of a home, and has been throughout the generations. «A mother will not grow weary, she just can’t. At the same time, she may be top specialist, working like a man,» added Ms Oviir.